Process and apparatus for treating textile materials



May 27 1924.

I T. ALLSOP ET Al..

PRocnss AND APPARATUS FOR TREATTNG TEXTILE MATERIALS 1922 sheets-sheet 2 INVENToR.-

Mills-0p 3,

ATTORNEY '271/022105 By i4/allier Patented May 27, 1924.

UNITED EL 1,495,14 oFF1cs.

THOMAS ALLSOP ANDv WALTER W. SIBSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AS- SIGNORS TO THE PHILADELPHIA DRYING: MACHINERY COMPANY, OF PHILADEL- PHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, A' CORPORATION OF PEN NSYLVANIA'.

PROCESS AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING TEXTILE MATERIALS. i

Application filed September'9, 1922. Serial No. 587,058.

To all whom z't may concern Be it known that we, THOMAS ALLsor and WALTER WV, SIBsoN, citizens of the United States, residing' at Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Process and Apparatus for Treating Textile Materials, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a process and apparatus for treating textile materials and more particularly to a process and machine for drying and conditioning materials such as yarns in skeins, cops, etc.

An object of the invention is to provide a process and machine for treating the material subsequent to a dyeing or bleaching operation wherein the material is first dried to expel all moisture, and then treated in such wise as to restore the material to its original condition prior to the dyeing or bleaching operation, particularly with respect to the weight of the material per unit volume and to otherwise impart. a condition calculated to render it suitable for use in the manufacture of textiles and to restore any characteristics originally possessed by the material.

Another object of the invention is to providea drying and conditioning machine for textile materials which is characterized by the provision of a drying compartment in which the material is subjected to the moisture expelling influence of heat and air circulation, a cooling compartment in which the material is next subjected to the cooling effect of air circulation without heat and to impart a condition t0 the material wherein it is rendered susceptible to the absorption of moisture, and a conditioning compartment in which the material is finally received and subjected to the application of moisture, heat and air circulation, under controllable conditions to restore the original characteristics and quality to the material.

These and other objects are accomplished by what we now regard as the preferred form or embodiment of our invention from among other possible forms and arrangements embraced within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings forming part of this application Fig. I is a View in top plan of a yarn drying and conditioning machine constructed in accordance with the present invention showing a portion of the superstructure removed )todisclose interior details. l

Fig. II is a view of the machine in side elevation. 4

Fig. III is a fragmentary View of the conditioning end of the machine illustrating the same in side elevation with a portion broken away; and

Fig'. IV is a detail View in transverse section taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. II.

` `With reference to the drawings 10 indicates an elongated enclosure constructed.

preferably of sheet material and otherwise formed to permit access to the interior for the purpose of cleaning or repair and vided by means of a longitudinally extending dividing Wall 11 located, closely adjacent one side wall of the enclosure to form a relatively Wide longitudinal channel 12 through which the material is progressed, and a relatively narrow. longitudinal channel 13 in Which the heating devices are contained. The roof of the enclosure is elevated at a point above the Wall 11 to form a longitudinal cavity 14 for the reception of air circulating fans to be presently described..

,Means is provided for progressing the material through the machine. The character' of the means is varied to conform to the nature of the material to be treated, that is whether in the form.v of skeins, cops, or the like. Any form of` conveying means may be utilized and where yarn in the form of skeins is to be treated the conveying means may be of an extremely simple nature such as an endless conveyor comprising laterally spaced pairs of endless chains 15 which are extended throughout the length of the machine vto operate in the channel 12. The endless chains may be trained around pairs of sprockets 16 and 17 located at the entering and discharging ends respectively of the machine. the sprockets 17 being preferably mounted upon a single shaft 18 for the purpose of effecting a. driving arrangement to be described. The yarn in the form of skeins is supported upon a series of transversely extending poles 19 having their ends rested upon oppositely disposed points of the 'chains 15 along the upper stretches of the ico latter so as to be progressed through the machine. I

The channel 12 through which the material is progressed and the channel 13 are subdivided at a point adjacent the discharging end of the enclosure by means of a transverse partition 20 located in spaced 'relation to the end wall of the discharging end of the machinev to define a conditioning compartmentv 21 and a cooperative heating compartment. Another transverse partition 22 is extended across the channel 12 in spaced relation to the partition 20 at the side of the latter remote from the discharging end of'the machine to define a cooling compartment 23 located between said partitions 20 and 22. The partition 22 is also extended across the channel 13 intersecting the same to subdivide said' channel into a heating compartment 2A for cooperation with a drying compartment 25 dened by the partition 22 and the end wall of the entering end of the enclosure. The channel 13 is again intersected -by the provision of a `transverse partition 26 extending from the dividing wall 11 at a point spaced from the partition 22 toward the discharge end of the machine to the adjacent side wall of the enclosure. The wall 11 is provided at this point with an opening 27. The extensio-n of the partition 22 intersecting the channel 13 is likewise provided with an opening 28 whereby to secure a passage-way for conducting air from the cooling compartment 23 through said openings 27 and 28 into the heating compart- 'ment 24 said passage-way being isolated from the remaining portion of the channel 13 by means of the partition 26.

The dividing wall 11 is provided within the drying compartment 25 with a series of shrouded openings formed adjacent the upper end of the wall to enclose a series of air circulating fans 29 which are fixed upon transversely extending horizontal shafts 30 to create a circulation of air which is directed by the fans into the drying compartment in a generally downward direction, then returned beneath the lower edge of the dividing wall 11 (which is spaced from the floor of the enclosure to provide such a passageway) and'fthen upward through the heating compartment 24 for recirculation. The dividing wall 11 at a point within the cooling compartment 23 is likewise provided with an opening containing a circulating fan 31 similarly mounted upon a transverse shaft 32 and within the conditioning compartment 21 at one or more places to receive circulating fans 33 which are mounted upon transverse shafts 34. All of the fans are so mounted as to create lateral `circulation of air within their several compartments in the manner described above.

Located at a point adjacent the entering end of the enclosure is an air exhausting meansshown in Figs. I and IV and consisting of a conduit indicated generally at 35 and comprising an enlarged receiving end 36 located preferably adjacent the floor of the enclosure and having its mout-h directed toward the discharging end of the machine. The conduit further comprises a conducting portion 37 in communication with the receiving portion 36 and extended upwardly exteriorally of the enclosure in spaced relation thereto and communicating at its up-4 per end with a transverse extension 38 terminating in an upward extension 39 which may be led to any point convenient for the discharge of moist heated air. Interposed in the extension 38 is an exhausting fan 40 which is mounted upon a shaft 41 suitably supported for rotation and the application ot power. The outer wall of the enclosure is formed at a point opposite the cooling compartment 23 with an opening 42 which leads into the channel 13 and aHords communication between the latter and the atmosphere, such. communication being controlled by means of a door plate 43. The space between the vertical conduit portion 37 and the enclosure wall is provided to accommodate a return conveyor for the skein poles. y

The heating compartment 24 is provided with two banks of heating elements or radiators 44 in the form of steam circulating coils or the like, arranged in longitudinal spaced relation and extending preferably throughout the length of the heating compartment to aiiord uniform application of heat to the material during its travel through the drying compartment. A heating element 45 of a similar type is provided in the channel 13 adjacent the discharging end of the machine at a point to supply the y conditioning compartment 21 with heat. It

is to be noted that no heating element is provided opposite the cooling compartment 23 and the heating elements should be arranged as to avoid the introduction of heated air into said cooling compartment.

We have provided a novel controlling arrangement for the ap lication of heat and moisture and the coordination of the several factors entering into the treatment of the material. The means may be of any desired type or arrangement to accomplish the results desired and we have illustrated as one example the assembly shown more clearly in Fig. HI which comprises a steam supply pipe 46 connected to a source of steam supply and having branches 47 leading -to the radiators 44, each of said branches 47 having a controlling device 48 interposed therein to vary the admission of steam to the radiators, said controlling devices including heat sensitive elements 49 or thermostats which are located within the dry-4 ing compartment 25 with operative connecn las y vary the admission of steam to the radiators in accordance with the varying conditions within the drying compartment and lto maintain a uniform predetermined temperature therein. The radiator 45 for the conditioning' chamber is likewise supplied by means of a branch 50 connected to the steam line 46 and controlled by means of an interposed pressure controlled device 51 toregulate temperature. LocatedI within the conditioning'compartment 21 are one or Vmore spraying devices 52 which may consist simply of perforated pipes having common connection to a header 53 in turn connected by means of the branch 54 tothe steam supply pipe 46. The branch 54 is controlled by means of a pressure controlledvalve device 55 to regulate humidity. The pressure controlled devices 5.1 and 55 are of. a type well known in the art of temperature regulators and are designed to be operated by means of air under pressure supplied 1n the present instance by means of acompressor 56 of any desired type driven from a shaft 57. The discharge port of the compressor is connected by means of a pipe 58 to the upper portion of the devices 51 and 55 through the medium of branch connections 59 and 60 leading respectively to the controlling devices 51 and 55, each of the branches 59 and 60 having an independent heat sensitive device 61 and 61a respectively interposed therein effecting control over the admission of compressed` air to the controlling devices 51and 55. The branch connection 59 is divided to provide 'another connection 62 leading to a reverse action controlling device 63 interposed in the steam line 46 at a point ahead of the connection 50.

The controlling devices 51 and 55 are'of substantially identical structure and of a type designed to control the passage of steam through the branches 56 and 54 to the controlling devices 51 and 55. The admission orshutting off of steam is eifected by means of a valve, the/valve in turn being actuated to closed or open position by means of a diaphragm or other actuating device affected by variations in air pressure su plied by the branches 59, 60 and 62 the' air pressure in turn being controlled or varied by the heat sensitive devices 61 and 61a. The heat sensitive devices may be of any type found suitable or convenient to vary the air pressure in accordance with changes in temperature and to this end they are eX- tended into the conditioning chamber and located at zones in which the temperature and humidity are to be controlled Yor maintained. Thus, in the event that the temperture and also the humidity in the conditioning compartment falls below apredetermined degree the heat sensitive devices 61 and 61a will operate to" permit the entrance of air pressure to the devices 51 and 55 so as to in turn cause the admission of steam to the radiator 45 and lto the sprays` 52, thus elevating the temperature and increasing the humidity by the admission of live steam directly into the conditioning chamber. The controlling device 63 is arranged to operate in a manner reversely with respect'to the devices 51 and 55, so that in the eventthat the several controlling devices described should become deranged or function improperly the device 63 will be actuated to cut off the further supply of steam to the radiator 45 andthe humidifying sprays 52. An hygrometer indicated at 65 may be provided'to indicate the temperature and umidity within the conditioning compartment by direct reading. The hygrometer may be of the type consisting of a mercurial thermometer to indicate the dry temperature and Ya wet bulb thermometer to indicate 'the humidity by a difference of reading between the wet and the dry thermometer. The hygrometer may be located between the heat sensitive devices 61 and 61a, the dry thermometer being located adjacent the device 61 and the wet bulb adjacent the device 61a so as 'to indicate to the operator the correspondence between the devices and the parts of the hygrometer. The devices 61 and 61a are of a type to permit adjustment so as to -adaptedto operate a Worm and worm wheel couple 69 in turn operating a second worm and worm wheel couple 70 for driving the shaft 18 of the material conveyor. The power shaft may be provided with belt connections 71 and 72, either independent or correlated, to the shafts 30A and 32 for driving the fans 0f the drying and cooling compartments. Another belt connection 7 3 may be carriedv to the fans 33 of the conditioning compartment and the compressor shaft 57 may be driven from one of the fan shafts 34. The fan shaft 41 of the exhausting device may be driven from any one of the fan shafts 30 by means ofa belt drive 75. v

The heat sensitive devices 48 for controlling the temperature of the radiators 44 in the drying compartment may be of any type found suitable or convenient and need not be used in connection with controlling devices such as those indicated at 51 and 55,

air inthe ,drying cham er..

owing to the factthat extreme sensitivity of operation is not required in the case of the-` `drying radiators 44 to the extent required of the radiators in the conditioning chamber.

.In operation, the material to be treated conveyed through Vthe machine, mythe case of skeins being strung alongpoles which are placed upon the endless conveyor. Duri ing progression through the drying chamber 25 the material is subjected to the action of heat and circulating ain so as to expel all or practically all ofthe moisture. Continued movement ofthe conveyor brings the dried material Within the sphere of action of the cooling zone or within the compartment 23 in r:which the' material issubjected to the cooling action of circulating air set up by the fan 31, the circulation of air being into thecompartment, beneath the wall 11, upward through the channel 13 and through the fan opening. Concurrently with the operation described the exhaust fan 40 is operated resulting in a continued exhaustion oimoist heated air from the drying compartment 25 and creating a partial vacuum therein which is supplied by air entering the opening 42 and joining the path of-circulationin the cooling chamber, a portion of the air in the. cooling' chamber being drawn through the openings 27 and 28 and directed into the drying compartment under the inuilence of the fans 29. As a result 'of the action described the entry of cooling air from the coolingv compartment into the drying chamber results in the creation of a spiral path of circulation of air beginmng at the endmost fan 29 and continuing throughout thelength ofthe drying compartment toward the entering end the spiral motion being the component of the two paths of circulation one of which is created by lateral direction of the fans 29 and the other by the force'of entry lof air from the opening 28. The spiral path supplies the beneicial result ofv carrying moist'air toward the mouth 36 'of the exhausting device so as to revent saturation of Durlng passage through'the coolin l chamf be r the material is relieved of'its a s'orbed heat so 'that its temperature maybe reduced -V 4to a pointto receive the conditioning treatment which the material undergoes 1n next passing through the chamber 21. The conditioning treatment consists, Vas intimatedv above in subjecting the material to heat and moisture the degreeof either treatment being variable by the means described so that after discharge of the material fromithe vmachine a condition is imparted thereto approaching that inherent therein inits condition .before subjection to dyeing or bleaching or Whatever treatment may have been neces-v sary inthe finishing of the material.` It will be noted that yarn, when in the form of.

slzeins strung along the poles in close relation forms a series of drapes which effect closure of the openings-in the partitions 22 and pressure to eject the water. An alternative method of creating air circulation would be to arrange the fans so as to direct the air downwardly instead of laterally.. Other alterationsv and rearrangements to conform to the exigencias' of specic requirements vmay be resorted to without departlng :from

the spirit of the invention.

' Having thus described our invention lWe claim: 1. The process of treating material which consists in first drying the material by heat,

then lowering the temperature of said material to a predetermined degree by radiation of the absorbed heat during its passage through acooling zone, and inally subjecting the material to the joint action `of h eat, warm moisture, and\circu1atin'g air as a conditioning treatment. Y

2. The process of treating material, which consists in rst subjecting the material to heat andcirculating air to expel moisture, then passing the material through a cooling zone, and finally subjecting the material to a conditioning treatmentwherein the material absorbs warm moisture to degree.

3. The process of treating material which consists in first heating the. material to expel moisture, then subjecting the material to circulating air without the addition of heat a predetermined` to permit radiation of. absorbed heat from the material, and finallyresubmitting the material to the action of warmed moisture in controllable quantities and circulating air.

4. The process of treating material which consists in first subjecting the material .to heat and circulating air to expel moisture and simultaneous exhaustion ofthe expelled@ moisture, then :cooling the material bythe circulation therethrough of-air Without the addition of heat, and finally subjecting the lao material to the action of heat an'd moisture y in controllable circulating air.

5. Apparatus for treating material prisingan enclosure, means for drying' and conditioning by first expelling moisture and subsequently adding moisture to the material quantities in the .presence of omgs' 125 in controllable quantity," and intervening means for cooling the material prior to subjection to conditioning treatment.

6. Apparatus for-the treatment of material comprising an enclosure divided to form compartments, vmeans for progressing the material successively l through -the compartments, and means in the several compartments for successively subjecting-the material to drying, cooling, and conditioning by the simultaneous action of moisture, heat Aso and circulating air.y

7. Apparatus for the treatment .of material comprising an enclosure subdivided to form compartments, means for progressing material successively through the compartments, means in one compartment for initially drying the material, means in an intermediate compartment for cooling the material, and means in another compartment :tor conditioning the material by the combined action ofheat, moisture andcirculatalr.

8. Apparatus forthe treatment of material comprising an enclosure divided to form compartments, means for progressing the material successively through the compartments, means for primarily subjecting the material in one compartment to the action of air circulation and heat, means in an intermediate compartment for subjecting thc material to the action of air; circulation Without heat, and means in the succeeding compartment for conditioning the materia action of cool circulating air, means for in-` under the combinedy action of moisture, heat and circulating air.

9. Apparatus for the treatment of material comprising an enclosure divided to form contiguous heating and treating .channels and subdivided to form' chambers for the individual treatment of materials, means for progressing the `material successively through the chambers, means in one cham- 'ber and its ,associated channel portion for subjecting the material to the action of heat and circulating air, means in a followlng chamber for subjecting the material to the troducing a portion of the cooling air from the cooling chamber into the dryin chamber and means in another chamber or subjecting the material to conditioning by the addition of moisture. l

10. Apparatus for the treatment of material comprising an enclosure divided to `form compartments, means for progressing material successively through the compartments, means for subjecting the material in one compartment to heat and circulating air,

for subjecting the material to conditioning by the addition of moisture.

11. Apparatus for the treatment of material comprising an enclosure divided to form contiguous channels for the treatment of material and the .reception of heating means, a plurality of means for creating lateral paths of circulation, means subdividing the treating channel to form 'compartments, means for progressing tthe material successively through the comp-artments, means in the several compartments for subjecting the material to heat and the circulation of air, means for subjecting the material inan intermediate compartment to air circulation Without heat, and means forl subjecting the material in another chamber to the action of heat and moisture.

12. Apparatus for treating material, comprising an enclosure divided to form compartments, means for progressing the material successively through the compartments, means for subjecting the material in one compartment to heat and air circulation, means in another compartment for cooling the material, means in another compartment for subjecting the'material simultaneously to heat and moisture, and means for controlling and varying relatively the degree of heat and moisture.

13. Apparatus for treating material, comprising an enclosure containing compartments, means therein to treat material by successively drying and cooling, and conditioning means for It-he material comprising means to supply heat, means to circulate air, means to supply live steam, means -to coincidently and automatically control the supply of heat and' steam, and means to permit relative variation of the heat and live steam supplies to eHect a desired character of treatment.

In testimonywhereof, We have hereunto signed our names at Philadelphia, Pennsyl- Vania, this 8th day'of September, 1922.

THOMAS ALLSOP. WALTER W. SIBSO-N. 

